Stash Boxes

Stash Boxes

[20:1 scale model]

The picture shows details of a Y frame elevated halfway up in the "crown" position which is best for launching grapples.

A person is sitting on a grapple launching platform (the launcher has been removed). Directly above and to his right is the bottom of a G box (Gunner's Box). The main access door faces outward and rolls up or down. When the door is closed and the G box is rotated outward and downward, the door becomes level. Then the G box is used as a sleeping berth (you sleep on the inside of the closed door).

The large white object with a blue bottom in the foreground is the control room. The white curtains can be opened from the inside to give a clear outboard view.

The 3 corners of the top frame are named the "Blue", "Red" and "Green" corners and each supports a unit outboard of the top frame. The blue corner supports the control room. The red corner and the green corner each support a utility box.

The structures with black and white markings are "stash" box which are also used as sleeping compartments. Barely visible is the top of a red utility box -- it houses an air compressor, cryogenic gear and other equipment.

A main unit has 3 G boxes and 3 stash boxes. When a G box is level the inside is almost the same size and shape as the inside of a stash box. They are 44 inches high, 8 feet long and 4-1/2 feet wide. Each can be used as a control room and each has all the essential communication gear (TV monitors, etc.). They have air conditioning and heating.

There are 3 top frames which form the basic triangular shape of the main unit's underslung framing. A stash box is situated in the center of and on top of one of the top frames. The stash boxes are removable and can float. The stash boxes have their own batteries and can function independently of the main unit if required. The access into a stash box is from the top or end (two openings).

The top of a stash box is a "walk-on" surface. The stash boxes have slanted edges along the top and bottom sides. This narrows the path that can be used for walking on the top of a stash box (by forcing someone to walk in the middle of the top of a stash box, there is less lateral torque on a top frame). The slanted edges along the bottom means that it floats somewhat like a boat (rather than like a raft).

During bad weather crew members can retreat to the G boxes or stash boxes. The center of the triangular platform directly under the balloons can be enclosed to form a livable compartment. Since the system is designed for use in heavy rain, in fog, in subartic conditions and in other adverse conditions, the center compartment is normally a common gathering point (which can be heated or cooled with air conditioning).

The removable top bracing which links the stash boxes together from their inner edges normally binds them together forming a single unit. In an emergency this unit can be released with 3 balloons, one at each corner of the bracing, allowing a crew of 8 to escape quickly by free flight. Independent ballasting of these 3 balloons is then available for this configuration.

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